Triumph introduced the mid-sized Tiger in 2011 to very little fanfare. I personally never cared for this bike, but several people I trust in the industry swear by it thanks to its 3/4 size compared to big ADV bikes, excellent ergonomics, and a hell of a triple that owes its existence to Triumph’s famous 675 with longer stroke and less …
Early Laverda – 1969 American Eagle 750GT
Laverda was introduced to the American market via three models called the S, SS, and the GT. The catch is that the bikes were not officially Laverdas – they were American Eagles, the brainchild of Jack McCormack. McCormack’s story is an interesting one – after working for Honda, and showing Suzuki how to bring their bikes to the states, he …
1984 Honda Gold Wing GL1200 Aspencade
In 1975, Honda released the GL1000 “Gold Wing” – the name referred to Honda’s logo, which is a wing. The huge success of the model coupled with the need of even more comfort led Honda to release the GL1100 Interstate in 1980. The factory full fairing helped define luxury touring for decades to come. In 1984, everything evolved with the …
Early MV Four-Stroke – 1956 MV Agusta Turismo Rapido 125
MV Agusta produced a number of successful lightweight, eighth-liter, two-stroke models in the post WW2 era, but it was in 1954 that the company decided to develop a 125cc four-stroke model to appease a market that’d become increasingly interested in performance oriented four-strokers. Starting that year, the company introduced the Turismo Rapido 125, also known as the TR.
$1,400 – 1983 Suzuki GS1100GK
In 1975, Honda started the legendary Gold Wing line with the GL1000. For the first time, Honda incorporated a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine which produced 999cc. Five years later, in 1980, Honda launched the GL1100 Gold Wing Interstate. Not only did Honda up displacement by 100cc, but with the Interstate they showed the public what luxury touring looked like with …
Monolever – 1989 BMW R100RT
Post Listing Update: This RT did not get any interest at the BIN of $3,550. In 1983, BMW released the K100, which featured a lengthwise 4-cylinder engine. Two years later, the K75 came out as well with a 3-cylinder engine using the same configuration. Unfortunately, BMW did not realize how important was the flat-twin for its riders, and the K-series …
1989 Honda PC800 Pacific Coast
In 1985, Honda opened up an American R&D branch, and one of their early projects brought both motorcycle and car engineers together. The bike engineers worked on the drivetrain, engine and frame, while car engineers worked on the body. Honda wanted to create something different – still with two wheels and an engine – but at the opposite end of …
Ending Soon – 1977 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: Despite 75 bids up to $10,900, this RS did not meet reserve. The first year of BMW’s class-defining R100RS was 1977. Bikes built in the first model year was also known as the “RS77”, and they worth the distinction due to year-specific features like silver/blue paint, blue anodized calipers, and blue pinstriping. They’re rare enough, but this …
1987 BMW K100LT
Ever since they introduced the R100RS, BMW has arguably invented and managed to stay at the top of the sport-touring bike segment. In the mid 80s, BMW wanted a bike that wouldn’t use the famous boxer engine. In fact, BMW was scared that the customers would get bored of the boxer, and without any other alternative in the BMW line, …
First Ride – 2019 Yamaha Tracer 900GT
View PostWhat Do You Want To Know? 2019 Yamaha Tracer 900 + 900 GT
UPDATE: Here’s my review! Yamaha USA’s quest to copy model names from the rest of the world continues as the FZ-09 sport-tourer is being replaced with the “Tracer 900”. You may remember that the same thing happened earlier this year with naked FZ-07, which became the MT-07. The Tracer gets some decent updates, better-looking bodywork, and a new up-spec “GT” …
1982 Honda CBX1000
Having more than 4 cylinders on a bike is not just a recent pursuit for manufacturers. Aviation was the principal influence in doing multi-cylinder motors, using radial engines like “La Millet” in 1887, a French motorcycle made with a 5-cylinder radial engine located in the back wheel. Obviously, this “more than 4 cylinders” path was not the easiest to follow …
721 Miles – 2012 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak
Ducati has just won Pikes Peak with a race version of their Multistrada model that’s named after the mountain itself. Here’s a previous gen Pikes Peak Multi that’s barely been used due to a sad story – the seller’s husband passed away two years ago so this has just been waiting for a new owner.
1982 BMW R100RS
Over a long and illustrious history, BMW has built the definitive example for many classes of motorcycles, such as how they created the adventure bike with the R80GS. The R100RS is another example, as it is a masterpiece that formed the baseline of what a sport touring bike could be.
No Reserve – 1993 Yamaha GTS1000
Post Sale Update: This GTS sold for $4,450 after 18 bids on eBay…to Bike-urious reader Joe G! In his review of the Yamaha GTS1000, Mark Tuttle at Rider Magazine starts with, “Remember this bike. If the forkless Yamaha GTS1000 doesn’t prove to be the forerunner of a new era in motorcycle design, it represents a missed cue of colossal proportions.” …